Ivan Toney says he lost his love for football during an eight-month betting ban but is ready to return and repay

Ivan Toney says he lost his love for football during an eight-month betting ban but is ready to return and repay Brentfords support during his lengthy lay-off. The 27-year-old England striker has not played since last May, when he was found guilty of 232 breaches of the Football A sociations gambling rules, but is set to make his Premier League comeback against Nottingham Forest on January 20. He has spent his time away from the game working hard on his own, in extra se sions at the club and on solo trips to Nashville, and admits struggling to come to terms with his punishment. I didnt watch football for a while. In a way I punished myself. There was a stage I probably did fall out of love with football, he told Sky Sports. Mi sing games and not Arsenal Jersey being around my team-mates was tough. I was confused but whats done is done now, I cant dwell on these things. Lifes not fair, we know this, the more you dwell on it the more its going to hurt you. Toney has been linked with a big-money move, with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly interested in a player who netted 20 times last season, but he is keen to show his appreciation for the Bees. (Brentford manager) Thomas Frank has been nothing but the biggest help I could have asked for the whole club has, Toney added. From putting on extra se sions for me, from taking their time out to put a se sion on and go outside when its raining when theyre not supposed to be in. I have a lot to repay them and I cant wait to try and do that. The fans were behind me. Even when I wasnt at their games, they were singing my name. A friend of mine sent me a video of the fans singing my name, I got Cape Verde Jersey goosebumps to know that theyre still behind me, even though Im not there. With Brentford, theyre struggling at the moment but Im sure when Im back I will play a big part to get them out of the losing form theyve been in. I cant wait to get back and be helping my team-mates. Toneys time away also helped focus his mind on life outside of football and he came away with bold plans for his future off the field. I want to start my own busine ses, start my own clothing brand. One thing I want to do is get into acting, which I think Id be quite good at, he said.